Registering an Inflatable

[Fireman431]

I posted this in the inflatable section, but wasn't getting much action there (story of my life ), so I thought I would ask here, specifically to anyone in the know from Florida:

I just picked up a replacement inflatable...I lost mine last year during a storm.

11.5' Boat US brand. Inflatable keel, hard removable walk-on deck, rigid transom, oars, pump, NO LEAKS! How much, you ask? $80.

There is no title for it, which I really could care less about. The main purpose I want it is truly for life saving needs. I have a Tohatsu 3.5 for it, but I won't ever be using it for pleasure, or even from moored boat-to-dock.

My question is: should I bother with the headache of bill of sale (seller is happy to sign one) and get hull #'s and registration for it, or since it is mainly to keep me from bobbing around in the ocean if my boat sinks, or just worry about a ticket (which would be the least of my troubles) if the time ever comes that I need it?

Also, do I need hull #'s to tow it behind the boat on a tender tag line?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Registering an Inflatable

Ayuh,... I don't know about Florida, but Ny says if it's powered by anything more than people power,...
It Will be registered...

 

[shrew]

Re: Registering an Inflatable

Fireman,

I understand that you don't intend to use it like a traditional dinghy. However I would get the proper paperwork anyway. You never know if things will change in a year or two. I wouldn't want to regret not getting the paperwork when I had a chance.

'It's better to have it and not need it, than the need it and not have it."

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Registering an Inflatable

"tow it behind the boat on a tender tag line?"

That part is what will get you a ticket.
But not if it was carried on the aft deck.

All vessels used on public waterways with any kind of motor must be titled and registered.
per:
http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/faqboat.html#1

If it were transported on the aft deck and only used for emergencies then I would not bother and take my chances.
But as soon as it is in the water it is then required.
But you know that the wife/girlfriend/kids/you will want to use it to go to shore, or exploring, etc.

 

[shrew]

Re: Registering an Inflatable

I think the key here is whether you actually put the outboard on the dinghy.

Motor on the dinghy = Registration

No Motor on the Dinghy = No registration.

Having the outboard on the 'mothership' and the dinghy floating in the water 'shouldn't' require that the dinghy be registered. But I don't see much point in carrying the motor around if you're never going to use it.

I wouldn't want to get into a theoretical debate with a LEO about why you have an OB on the 'mothership' that is not used on the unregistered dinghy.

Cetainly an easy solution would be to NOT carrying the OB onboard.

BTW- You don't want to use the dinghy?? I thought that too. Boated for years without one. Even when I got one, i only used it 1-2 times the first year. More the second year I had one. Now, we couldn't live without it. It opens up a whole new world. We use it like a day boat when we're at anchor. Visit neighbors, explore, take an evening 'dinghy ride'.

I guess it depends on what you do. If your boat only lives in marinas, it would be useless. We drop anchor on Sat. morning and don't pull it up until Sunday afternoon every single weekend. We look at the boat like our condo and the dinghy like our car.

It's not for everyone. just my .o2

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Registering an Inflatable

Thank you for the responses. That is the feedback I was looking for and I've uttered every word I just read. What the heck...it's just another registration to pay for and renew every year, right?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Registering an Inflatable

it's just another registration to pay for and renew every year, right?

Ayuh,.... Every 3 years here in Ny...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Registering an Inflatable

Ayuh,.... Every 3 years here in Ny...

Thanks for rubbing it in. My birthday's in December, so aside from X-mas, I also get to pay for by boat, my truck, my work truck, my trailer, my wife's car, my motorcycle, and now the inflatable!